On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to discuss all the latest rugby news.

The lads kick off by discussing Johnny Sexton's comments about Ireland's fresh approach to the World Cup, with the team now actively speaking about the tournament two years in advance.

Is it a good idea or is there a danger that the pressure to finally deliver a World Cup semi-final place will build even more?

The chat then moves onto Connacht's big win over Ulster, with Jack Carty once again outplaying an out-half rival - but there's still no place for him in the Ireland squad.

Munster's disappointing defeat to the Ospreys, the hooker battle at Leinster and Greg McWilliams' appointment as the head coach of the Ireland women's team are all up for discussion too.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Ireland's World Cup target, Jack Carty's form and Leinster's hooker battle

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and New Zealand rugby journalist Liam Napier to look ahead to Ireland vs the All Blacks.

To start off, Will, Luke and Cian look back at the big win over Japan - how much can be read into Ireland's impressive victory?

Ireland offloaded far more than in previous matches, but Luke has an interesting view on whether this represents a new departure for the team.

Liam then joins the lads to give the view from New Zealand. He says there are a number of question marks over the All Blacks, with the biggest one being the battle between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga at out-half.

The lads then give their predictions - with Luke expecting New Zealand to leave the Aviva Stadium with a 15-point win.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Expansive Ireland, the offloading debate and New Zealand's out-half battle

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey and Ruaidhrí O'Connor to look back at Ireland's impressive win over the All Blacks.

Will kicks off by asking Rud what his big take-away from the game is – and he was left very impressed by how dominant Andy Farrell's team were.

Cian thinks the bravery with the ball-in-hand shown by Ireland was noteworthy while Luke was surprised by how poor New Zealand's handling was under pressure.

Ireland's front row power, Jamison Gibson-Park's speedy service and the balance of the back three is all up for the discussion too.

Rud and Cian also weigh in on what has been another controversial period for the women's game in Ireland after Director of Women's Rugby Anthony Eddy came under fire for an interview he gave last week.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Dominant, exciting and still room for improvement - why Ireland's win ticked all the boxes

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Rúaidhrí O'Connor and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by The Belfast Telegraph Rugby Correspondent Jonathan Bradley to talk about Munster's Covid-19 nightmare in South Africa, Ulster's big win at the RDS and Connacht's superb performance against Ospreys.

With news that a large number of the Irish province's travelling party are expected to return home overnight, Luke and Jonathan assess the impact the episode will have on Munster's campaign and the season on the whole.

On Saturday night, Ulster claimed a famous win in Ballsbridge and both guests were full of praise for Dan McFarland's sides approach as they assessed James Hume's contribution and the place in the Leinster and Ireland pecking order of Leinster out-half Harry Byrne.

Leo Cullen had some harsh words for his players after the game and Luke reckons some will have a tough time getting back into the team, with Connacht on their way to the RDS this Friday.

The Western province was sublime in the rain in Galway last Friday night, sweeping Ospreys aside with Mack Hansen giving a really impressive display that caught the eye.

With Europe looming large, it's another big round of games this weekend as the provinces look to launch into their Champions Cup campaign.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

The Left Wing

Munster’s Covid Nightmare, Ulster’s big win and Connacht’s chance against Leinster

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined for a bumper Champions Cup preview by Cian Tracey.

Will starts things off by asking Cian and Luke who the best team in Europe is right now - the consensus seems to be that it is between Toulouse and Leinster.

For Leo Cullen's side, it is coming up to four years since they last won the Champions Cup - how much pressure is on Leinster to deliver?

Cian thinks they have a power deficit to make up with the top teams while Luke thinks their mindset has to be right to win it again.

Meanwhile, Munster are looking to produce another European miracle against Wasps this weekend while there is also uncertainty around their coach Johann van Graan, while there are also question marks around Ulster and Connacht ahead of the tournament kick-off.

The lads round things off by discussing the teams outside of Ireland that they are looking forward to seeing, and then give their predictions for the eventual winners.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Champions Cup preview - Leinster pressure, Munster's Covid challenge and the Leicester revival

On this week's episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to pick through all the latest news.

The lads start off with a discussion about Munster's future after the announcement that head coach Johann van Graan will leave at the end of the season - is it time for Ronan O'Gara to finally come home?

On the pitch, Munster enjoyed a bumper win at Wasps last Sunday, with the young guns making a big step up and Luke thinks it is time for the younger players to be trusted more.

The chat then turns to Connacht's big win, as well as the form of Jack Carty and where he sits in the Ireland pecking order.

Leinster's Covid situation, Ulster's upset win in Clermont and the state of women's rugby are all up for discussion too.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Ronan O'Gara's big decision, Munster's young guns and the Jack Carty situation

On the last Left Wing of the year, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to discuss all the latest rugby news.

For the second year in a row, Munster's St Stephen's Day clash at home to Leinster has been shelved due to Covid - Rud gives a state of play in what is a messy situation for Leo Cullen's side.

The lads then turn their attention to Munster's win over Castres, while Rud also puts forward Declan Kidney as a possible replacement for Johann van Graan.

The chat then turns to the news that Ultan Dillane is leaving Connacht at the end of the season to move to France and Will thinks that more fringe Ireland players would benefit from a move abroad, while Luke isn't so sure.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Leinster's Covid Christmas, Ultan Dillane's decision and the return of Declan Kidney?

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Rúaidhrí O'Connor to go over all the latest rugby news.

After a Christmas period light on on-field action, there's only Connacht vs Munster to discuss - and none of the lads were impressed with the standard on show.

While Andy Friend's side continue to build, Luke and Rud both have major questions about Munster's prospects of success after another game where their attack struggled.

The lads then discuss the fixture chaos in club rugby, in particular with Leinster, who have only played three games in ten weeks, as well as the decision to give Conor Murray a new two-year central contract.

Finally, the lads discuss the to-do list for new IRFU CEO Kevin Potts, who is replacing Philip Browne.

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Inter-pro disappointment, Leinster's layoff and the IRFU to-do list

On this week’s episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Gavin Mairs of The Daily Telegraph to discuss the landscape of English rugby after a tumultuous Covid year.

First, Will and Luke discuss Munster vs Ulster and Johann van Graan’s short-term future.

Then Gavin joins the lads and they chat about whether the English sides still value Europe and if the Premiership is as good as all the hype suggests.

The prospect of a Lions League, the emergence of Harlequins and Eddie Jones’ England are all up for discussion too. 

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

URC vs Premiership, a ‘Lions’ League and Johann van Graan’s interview

On the latest episode of The Left Wing, Will Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald are joined by Cian Tracey to go over all the latest rugby news. 

The lads kick off by discussing the Ireland Six Nations squad announcement, as Andy Farrell makes some interesting decisions.

The chat then moves on to the Champions Cup action, starting with Leinster’s record-setting win over Montpellier - is there really anything they can learn from that?

Connacht’s collapse against Leicester, Ulster’s exciting backline and Munster’s European form are all up for discussion too. 

For more Left Wing episodes and rugby stories visit the show page at:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/

Ireland’s Six Nations squad, undercooked Leinster and Ulster’s European form

The Left Wing with Luke Fitzgerald has the best rugby analysis and exclusive interviews every week on Independent.ie.  

Former Ireland international Luke is joined by Independent.ie’s Will Slattery, as well as the biggest names in Irish rugby.

Harnessing his in-depth knowledge from his playing days, Luke dissects how the provinces are performing week in, week out.

And for all the international action, listen to the Left Wing for the best analysis and compelling chat about the Irish team.

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